Former Blues boss Claudio Ranieri feels Antonio Conte and Chelsea are a match made in heaven as they prepare for the new season.

Conte was the man the Stamford Bridge outfit turned to after a season of woe in which the champions were humbled and Jose Mourinho went from hero to villain.

The Portuguese tactician paid the price for a dreadful first half of the campaign, with Guus Hiddink steering the ship through choppy waters to see them finish in mid table.

Conte is now at the helm after his time with the Italy national team expired, and he has already delved into the transfer market with a few high-profile acquisitions.

It remains to be seen how quickly they gel with the existing players and if the former Juventus boss can work his magic in west London, but Ranieri, who guided Leicester City to an amazing Premier League title last term, feels they are in safe hands with his compatriot.

“Antonio and Chelsea are made for each other,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “They must know each other well and not let themselves be sidelined by the inevitable cultural differences, but we shall see an Italian model at Chelsea.”